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Well the video took about 5 seconds to explain why and spent the other 3 minutes swinging it like idiots at a dummy for the cameras. The reason a bronze sword was shaped the way it was is because, simple enough, it's BRONZE. Heavy and weak. These things would bend and brake in combat. They used them as clubs as much as cutting weapons, actually they may have simply just been ceremonial weapons and relied on ranged weapons (arrows) and spears in combat.
But reach is everything in hand to hand combat, once iron and steel was developed and they learned quench hardening, allowing swords to be longer, they became obsolete.
Well the video took about 5 seconds to explain why and spent the other 3 minutes swinging it like idiots at a dummy for the cameras. The reason a bronze sword was shaped the way it was is because, simple enough, it's BRONZE. Heavy and weak. These things would bend and brake in combat. They used them as clubs as much as cutting weapons, actually they may have simply just been ceremonial weapons and relied on ranged weapons (arrows) and spears in combat.
But reach is everything in hand to hand combat, once iron and steel was developed and they learned quench hardening, allowing swords to be longer, they became obsolete.
But there are plenty of bronze age examples of the short swords that are straight, and front curve. The Khopesh is more awkward than a front curve. It has the crook half way up before curving back. That has to be structurally inferior.
But there are plenty of bronze age examples of the short swords that are straight, and front curve. The Khopesh is more awkward than a front curve. It has the crook half way up before curving back. That has to be structurally inferior.
I should have said the common feature with bronze weapons isn't the curve, but the fact that they are short and heavy, and used mostly for thrusting. The Khopesh however is a cutting weapon so unique - basically a precurser to later age sabers.
I suspect again many of them were often used to bludgeon there enemy as when you see painting from that time you often see pictures of them "smiting" there enemy - basically bashing them over the head. But even these have a ceromonial rule, or perhaps executions. The scenes of ancient eqyptian combat show arrows and spears typically.
A sickle cuts on the inside of the curve. This cuts on the outside of the curve. Both rely more on slicing than chopping.
The concept is simple. The arm swings in an arc. The design allows chopping at something close in, where the blade is strong and the mass of the pendulum swing can add force. Further out, where a chop would break the blade, the force is converted more and more to a smooth slicing action, which creates less stress on the blade and arm but can also be lethal. Even better, a tired warrior that can muster little force can still slice effectively, when he might not be able to chop through even rudimentary protection. Try chopping a tomato with a sharp knife sometime, then slice it with the same knife.
(That video is about as dumb as it gets. The target audience must be four year old boys.)
A sickle cuts on the inside of the curve. This cuts on the outside of the curve. Both rely more on slicing than chopping.
The concept is simple. The arm swings in an arc. The design allows chopping at something close in, where the blade is strong and the mass of the pendulum swing can add force. Further out, where a chop would break the blade, the force is converted more and more to a smooth slicing action, which creates less stress on the blade and arm but can also be lethal. Even better, a tired warrior that can muster little force can still slice effectively, when he might not be able to chop through even rudimentary protection. Try chopping a tomato with a sharp knife sometime, then slice it with the same knife.
(That video is about as dumb as it gets. The target audience must be four year old boys.)
Because it's a close in weapon I doubt it would not be too effective in combat. I assume it was used as more of a secondary personal defense weapon for chariot riders or spearman, i.e. similiar to handguns for soldiers when there main weapon fails. Really, it's a farming implement. Ancient Egypt had better weapons.
And yes readers, this is meant as a bumping post because I am getting tired of the WWII/German threads at the top.
Why ancient Egyptian bronze age swords take the awkward sickle shape?
that blade does not look structurally sound. Probably takes produces lots of scrap to make which is wasteful.
The weapon was developed from a farming tool (sickle). It was not uncommon for drafted men to return to their farms after a war and need a farming tool again. Thus, the sword was dual purpose and could become a farming tool or a weapon.
Why ancient Egyptian bronze age swords take the awkward sickle shape?
that blade does not look structurally sound. Probably takes produces lots of scrap to make which is wasteful.
Well, the minute I read the title of your question it immediately came to mind about the Game of Throne series and the weaponry used by the various warriors. I believe this is exactly what you're referring to.
Dothraki culture, Weapons - Arakh
"Their blades are more scythe than sword... the better to cull the infantry ranks without breaking stride."
The arakh is the standard weapon used by Dothraki warriors. It has a crescent moon-shaped, curved blade about two and a half feet long and a thick handle almost the same length, making it half-sword and half-scythe.
The weapon overall is an original invention of George R.R. Martin, but does bear some similarity to ancient "sickle-swords" such as the khopesh, the orak, the makraka and the falx.
The weapon was developed from a farming tool (sickle). It was not uncommon for drafted men to return to their farms after a war and need a farming tool again. Thus, the sword was dual purpose and could become a farming tool or a weapon.
Why you need a sickle shape even as a farm tool? Wont a straight edge or front curve serve the same purpose as a farm tool too?
Well, the minute I read the title of your question it immediately came to mind about the Game of Throne series and the weaponry used by the various warriors. I believe this is exactly what you're referring to.
Dothraki culture, Weapons - Arakh
"Their blades are more scythe than sword... the better to cull the infantry ranks without breaking stride."
The arakh is the standard weapon used by Dothraki warriors. It has a crescent moon-shaped, curved blade about two and a half feet long and a thick handle almost the same length, making it half-sword and half-scythe.
The weapon overall is an original invention of George R.R. Martin, but does bear some similarity to ancient "sickle-swords" such as the khopesh, the orak, the makraka and the falx.
yeh, I know they copied the arakh from the khopesh. But most horse cultures used sabres, or before that, the front curve like Alexander the Great kopis. Neither are as awkward shaped as a sickle sword. The sickle shape has to make it hard to align the edge with target.
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